CODE OF ETHICS

Section 2.All persons who participate in Society sponsored excavations of human skeletal burial sites shall behave in accordance with state and federal laws and in a manner that acknowledges the sanctity that the site may hold for all people. Skeletal materials shall be handled with respect at all times. Visitors to burial sites under excavation shall be informed of the Code and the state or federal laws regarding the excavation of burial remains, either by posted message or personal explanation.

Section 3.
Artifacts recovered in any activity sponsored by the Society or any Chapter shall not remain in the hands of the individual excavators, but shall become the property of the State of Arkansas or appropriate federal governmental agency.

Section 4.
Arkansas Archeological Society members will promote the use of proper archeological techniques. All excavations by Society members shall be performed according to proper archeological techniques. Society members will seek professional assistance as needed. Society members will offer assistance and/or instruction to non-Society members with an interest in preservation and/or legitimate research. Members, to the best of their ability, shall properly record and catalogue their private collections. Members are encouraged to donate their private collections to the State of Arkansas or the Arkansas Archeological Society.

Section 5.Members shall actively discourage the looting of archeological sites and encourage the preservation of such sites by informing the public of archeology’s importance to the recovery of information.

About us

The Arkansas Archeological Society was formed in 1960 for the purpose of uniting all persons interested in the archeology of Arkansas, for the recognition and preservation of our cultural heritage and prehistory, and for fostering and encouraging the public's interest in the preservation of the past.